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Editors' Note:The Download Now link will download an installer file to your desktop. Remain online and double-click the installer to proceed with the actual download.
To learn more about AVG products and to ask questions and receive answers from AVG company representatives, please visit CNET's dedicated AVG Forum.

Editors' Review

AVG AntiVirus comes in three models: Free, Pro, and Internet Security. AntiVirus Free includes AVG's antivirus engine, Link Protection, and File Shredder. Pro adds protection like Online Shield and Data Safe. Internet Security offers Pro features as well as Anti-Spam and Enhanced Firewall. AVG AntiVirus Free 2015 has moved away from Windows 8 Modern's flat appearance to a more button-centric, streamlined interface, and the app is paired with AVG's Zen for managing scans remotely.

Pros

A basic security kit with a bonus: AVG AntiVirus Free can fulfill your everyday security needs with its powerful antivirus scanning engine, software behavior tracking tool, and link and email scanner. In addition, the suite is compatible with the new AVG Zen, which allows you to check your Windows, Mac, and Android devices. You can log in on your PC or via Android app to schedule scans, view malware reports, and troubleshoot from anywhere.

Commendable protection: AVG scored 96.5 percent in real-world protection for malware blocked in AV-Comparative's September 2014 report. That puts AVG well above the industry average, though not at the top of the list. The antivirus detection engine has been improved, as shown in the reduced number of false positives in AV-Comparative's tests.

Aggressive selling model: In our tests, we were turned off byaggressive advertising to upgrade to the paid version. Also, with many features and tools displayed but grayed out, AntiVirus Free felt like it was missing pieces, even with so many tools available.

Bottom Line

AVG AntiVirus Free 2015 has improved upon a well-designed security tool kit. While the busy layout takes some getting used to, the underlying antivirus engine continues to show improvement, outperforming previous years' results and many competitors, and AVG's Zen is a great boon if you're managing multiple devices.

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Publisher's Description

AVG continues to deliver essential free antivirus protection with the launch of AVG AntiVirus FREE 2015. It goes beyond simply detecting and removing viruses on your PC by blocking infected links as you browse, checking files before they're downloaded, and helping protect your personal data online and on your PC with enhanced privacy features. With 2015, we've improved our core engine and its accuracy, and included a new cloud-based detection method. And because we know that security is just as important as usability, AntiVirus Free 2015 features a revamped, easier-to-use design.

We've been hard at work optimizing our core engine to increase its detection accuracy. That includes better detection of screen-locker ransomware and improved scanning of all downloadable files to keep you safe from an exponentially expanding pool of threats.

And when a new online threat breaks out and spreads, the key to keeping you protected is the speed with which we can react. Our new Outbreak Detection gives us the tools to act immediately and curtail their spread. With AntiVirus Free 2015, you don't have to wait until the next virus-definition package is ready to be protected: the moment we know a threat's there, you're covered.

Finally, we believe security should be clean and simple to be effective, and we've put a lot of work in making sure AntiVirus Free 2015 is intuitive to use. Our new simplified design makes sure you know what needs your attention at a glance. Combined with our free comprehensive online support, you can be sure you're getting our best protection.

I had AVG free on my old comp and it worked great. I used the pc maintenance often. It would scan and then "fix" the problems. Now after the scan is completed and i click "fix", it directs me to their web site to download some other pc clean up type program and two new icons appear on the desktop. Then it starts to run some "one click maintenance" thingy that i don't want. My son tried to get on the internet and there was a pop up from AVG blocking everything. When we tried to "x" out of it, it opened yet another pop up asking us to buy something. I was planning on buying the full version due to it working so well before, but after this experience, no thank you. What is all the new crap they added?? Dear AVG, if it isn't broke, don't fix it.

AVG HIJACKED MY BROWSER !!!!!! With the help of yahoo, avg web tune or whatever its called hijacked my browser. I don't trust this program anymore. Im uninstalling and looking for new virus protection.

Summary

I guess after all these years and downloads they feel comfortable enough to hijack browsers and install bloatware. Uninstalling and finding new virus protection.

I did my homework - I did the math!
AVG AntiVirus has consistently high ratings:
> #2 in Anti-virus Software
>Excellent - Editor's Rating
> 4 stars - Average User's Rating(All Versions)
>The write ups were very praising
>Seemed to have what I needed.
So, I gave 'em a shot. 4 times! 4 different versions! 4 different O.S.!
(Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7)
Each time, I hoped the new version fixed the problems I had &/or maybe
it was my old computer & its O.S. - & remember - cnet did rank AVG #2,
& gave them high ratings & praises! They must be good! Right! (?)

WRONG !

If AVG is great, its "only" on paper! Every time I installed AVG's AntiVirus software, I had the same problems. (See cons) I did the math but came up
with very different answers!
The first 3 installs, with all their disastrous effects, were an easy fix. I did
complete uninstalls, removed all files & registry entries made by software. My
computers ran like they did before the installs - GREAT!
This install has no easy, nor cheap, fix! The complete uninstall didn't fix
the Windows problem. (See cons - especially #1)
Tried entering my Product Key but says its not good.
I bought/registered (Fry's) 5 yrs ago & now Microsoft says I have to buy a new Product Key if I can't find my receipt!

does not remove viruses, it just acts like it does. This is a program that shady techs like, because it insure constant return business for them. They will have to come and remove the viruses AVG says it has removed, because it never removed it in the first place. Plus, no matter how hard you try to keep your computer clean, and watch sites you go to, you will have more viruses with this program than any other.

I would not call AVG a fake antivirus, these people have been in the antivirus business since you may have been a kid. it's not a excellent AV yet a decent one. you wrote "They will have to come and remove the viruses" I did not know AVG (Virus doctors) do house calls? LOL. AVG AV does properly remove the viruses it detects.

Kind of stunned now. AVG free has been part of my life for five years and its gone. Feels like my dogs been run over and i can't imagine what to replace him with. Any body got any suggestions for a working, reliable and free anti-virus app?

I would suggest first try using CCleaner (Registry Clean Option) to get rid of old unused registry keys from your machine and try installing AVG again! I recently downloaded from here and installation went smoothly. If for any reason you still have problems with AVG other Antiviruses I would suggest are Bitdefender Free Edition, Forticlient, Panda Free Antivirus, or Avast (If you don't mind the advert popups). all these Antiviruses have good detection and are not heavy on your machine.

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